EGYPTIAN WHEELIES

[obeytherod]

[Malik had found something while looking through the East Wing. Just what that "something" was becomes apparent when an engine roars to life, and the skid of tires on tiled flooring echoes through the halls.

Sure...sure, he could just walk his new bike outside...but where was the fun in that?! This wasn't an ATV, and it likely wasn't going to fair well in the spotty terrain outdoors...

So he's just going to take a few smooth-riding laps in the halls before he goes to test it outside.

When somebody gets in his way, he rears the bike back onto one wheel, skidding a few feet on the floor before the front tire slams back down and he comes to a stop.]

What, are you trying to get yourself killed?

Comments

[obeytherod]

It's just a scratch, you'll live. [Scratch, deep gash...whatever; Malik didn't care either way. That "scratch" would serve as a reminder to Bakura, so he never forgets just who he belongs to.]

But that reminds me...the plans I have for Harriet might get us out of here. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't screw them up. I need her to see me as trustworthy, and anything you do reflects on me.

[fluffydeathdealer]

I'm more concerned about what you did with your foot, idiot.

[His scowl only deepened. Who was the one fostering peace here again?! Malik was acting like the smuggest bitch in the world right now.]

Oy! Idiot, do you think I'd turn on those assholes so easily? I'd at least warn you first.

Besides, I've been dealing with their leader quite nicely so far.

[obeytherod]

I'm just making sure we have an understanding. [Malik used the end of his Rod to press against Bakura's cheek dominantly. "Smug" was putting it lightly.]

But that's good! All the more reason for her to believe me.

[His eyes trailed down to Bakura's side he'd been abusing only a few minutes ago.] Let me have a look.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Irritably, he knocks the Rod away from his face with the back of his hand. If anyone's ruining anyone's plans, it's usually you, he grumps to himself. Saying it right now while he's still recovering would be stupid, however.]

Whatever!

[With that solid retort, he reaches down slowly to unwind the bandages. They don't seem to want to come away, having been pressed too firmly into the wound. It hurts like hell just peeling them off.]

Nng...

[Malik probably only wants to see as a trophy.

The burns are far redder than before, having been torn open. It looks like they're seeping blood. Luckily it's far enough in the healing process that it isn't seeping anything else.]

[obeytherod]

Ohh...I really hurt you, didn't I? Keh... [The lack of remorse in his voice was a bit disturbing, even if Malik did get up a moment later to retrieve the first aid kit.]

Hmm... [Sitting back down next to Bakura, he flips open the lid and looks inside, pulling out the various items they'd been using for treatment the past week.

That smug look on his face doesn't budge an inch, even when he looks back up with burn cream in his hand.]

Now...hold still.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[An idea flickers over his mind vaguely and he grasps onto it. A way to get revenge for this. It has to wait a little while, until at least Malik's done... but he has an idea.]

Oi, Malik... when you're done with this, we should play something. I need a distraction.

[He can't help but tense, not wanting Malik's fingers anywhere near his wounds right now.]

...You're going to want to clean off the blood first, and disinfect it. Putting that straight on isn't going to do much good.

[obeytherod]

What, you want to play Duel Monsters?

[Silently he lowers the tube of cream and stands to grab a clean, damp clothe. Using that, he dabs up the blood with surprising gentleness, especially considering the way he acted earlier. It was force of habit more than anything.

Once that's done, he starts with the disinfectant.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Leaning his head against the counter, he endures it with surprise. It still stings a little, but Malik's odd moments of gentleness startle him.]

I just want to unwind a little. It can be Duel Monsters, if you want... or it could be something else.

Heheh... we could even play a guessing game, if you wanted.

[obeytherod]

Hmm. Too bad Ryou hasn't finished that Monster World set.

[Disinfection complete, Malik moves on to the burn cream, spreading it liberally with his fingers.]

Whatever's fine with me, but first... [He pauses for effect, wearing a pointed grin.] You never did tell me what I should call you. Then again, it doesn't really matter what you think.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[That mocking insult makes him seethe, even as he has to shut his eyes and bite his already-abused lip in response to the sting of the cream. Malik really has gone too far this time... He's going to have to teach him a lesson.]

If it doesn't matter what I think, then why ask me?! I don't care what words you dress it up as. 'Boyfriend', 'lover', 'partner'... they all mean the same thing!

[obeytherod]

Tch, "lover" is too much! [Malik sticks his tongue out in disgust.]

"Partner" is fine then...we're still partners, after all. [He starts to wind up the bandages now, making sure to not make them too tight.] Not that much has changed.

[Leaning in, Malik laughs softly against Bakura's ear before kissing his cheek.] Right, part-oh-nah?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Snap.

In that one instant, his patience breaks. Malik is acting like he's won, like there's some sort of power he has over him now just because he got the drop on him once. It's foolish!

Now he's firmly set in his decision.]

When did you get the impression you were in charge here?

[His voice is curt and the minute he thinks the bandages are done, he tries to stand up.]

[obeytherod]

Oy--! [Malik grabs Bakura by the arm, yanking him back to the floor.] I'm not done yet!

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ow-!

[Bakura's resistance places him firmly on top of Malik's legs.]

[obeytherod]

Ow! [The yelp mirror's Bakura's own as the weight rather abruptly settles onto him.]

Idiot! [He shoves him off, scooting back to give his legs some room. Seething as he may be, he still gets back to the bandages.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Look who's talking! You're the reason this needs to be done at all!

[He submits grouchily, arms folded over his chest in an irritated manner. He has to think of something simple to offer them to play, something that Malik won't be bored by... Maybe he'd give him a little incentive!]

Hey, Malik... Why don't we play something with a little bit of a stake to it?

[obeytherod]

Oh yeah? I'm pretty sure I wasn't the one kissing Karasu. This is your own fault.

[The bandages had to be completely redone now, thanks to Bakura unraveling half of them by standing up like a fool.

Malik's considerably less gentle this time.]

A stake? [He's suspicious; this was Bakura, after all. Malik wasn't about to just blindly agree.] What kind of stake?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He growls a little, but smiles at the reminder. He'd done a little more than kissing... even if they hadn't truly gotten very far. It was a good thing Karasu wouldn't remember where his hands had been. That was a little secret.]

Heheh. Nothing too major, this time. If I win, you apologize to me for causing me this much pain and don't try to ruin my friendship with her.

But if you win, I'll call you by whatever title you wish. It doesn't matter if it's in public or private. I'll even call you 'Malik-sama'...

[obeytherod]

... [Malik narrows his eyes, the prize of victory was rightfully appealing, and since he didn't plan on losing...]

Okay, but what's the game?

[fluffydeathdealer]

If I had my dice, it'd be easier to find something... But, have you heard of a game named Menko?

[His voice is casually relaxed. You're playing into his hands, Malik...]

[obeytherod]

No. [Malik leans back against the counter, crossing his arms. His own voice is deadpan.] I'm Egyptian, remember?

What is it?

[fluffydeathdealer]

It's pretty simple... you can use your duel monsters cards to do it. Each player gets a certain number of cards. One person sets down their card on the floor, while the other has to try to overturn it using one of theirs. Just one. They can't touch the cards, other than the one that they use to try to turn it over. If they can overturn the card, either by the force of impact or by creating a strong enough gust of wind from the momentum, they take both cards back into their hand.

The person with the most cards at the end is the victor.

[obeytherod]

Hmm... [It sounded almost too easy, but then again...the stakes weren't that outrageous either. Even if he was fairly certain that Bakura was getting the better deal if he won, Malik still had no intentions of losing.

Besides getting Bakura to call him "Malik-sama", he'll also do the exact opposite of his would-be winning request. Keh keh heh.]

Alright then, let's play. [Lips stretching into a confident smile, Malik pulls out his deck.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Shall we set a timer, or play until one person wins a certain amount of cards?

[A sardonic smile on his lips, Bakura leisurely fumbled with his pocket to draw out his own deck, playing with the cards there.]

[obeytherod]

An amount. How does fifteen sound?

[Malik plucks fifteen cards from the top of his deck, grasping them showily between his thumb and forefinger.]